Allen Among New York Rangers' Black Aces

Former UMass defenseman Conor Allen's season with the Hartford Wolf Pack is over, but Allen is still active, practicing as one of the "black aces" for Hartford's parent club, the New York Rangers.

For those who might not know, the term "black ace" refers to a playoff extra, a "taxi squad" guy who is on hand for NHL playoff depth. An NHL team's black aces will only get a chance to play in a Stanley Cup playoff game if the big club gets hit by a run of injuries, but they practice throughout the postseason run in case they are needed.